Press Releases

1. If circumstances allow, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to visit the People’s Republic of China, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam from April 29 to May 6.

2. This will be the first bilateral visit to China by a Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan in approximately four and a half years. On April 30, Minister Kishida is scheduled to hold a Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Mr. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, as well as meet with other leaders of the Government of China to exchange views on the ways to further improve Japan-China relations.

3. Through visiting the Mekong region countries of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Viet Nam, which hold the key to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration, Minister Kishida will promote the strengthening of the ASEAN Community launched last year. He is also scheduled to deliver an inclusive message on Japan’s diplomacy towards ASEAN by making a policy speech in Bangkok.

4. Through promptly establishing trustworthy relationships with Myanmar, Laos and Viet Nam where new regimes have just been launched, Minister Kishida will work to strengthen cooperation not only bilaterally but also in the regional and international arenas.